EasyGSH-DB: Sorting (1996, 2006, 2016)

Definition: Sorting is a measure by which the width of the grain spectrum represented in the sum curve is represented, and determines the mechanical and hydraulic behavior of the sediment. Conclusions about the deposit environment can be drawn from the sorting process. A wide spectrum indicates a high degree of variability within the sediment sample, i.e. there are fractions of different grain fractions far apart. This is called poor sorting and results in high value. A narrow spectrum indicates a low variability, i.e. there are only a few portions of only closely adjoining grain fractions. This is called a good sorting and results in a low value. The range of sorting starts at η1 = 0 (single grain material) and increases with increasing number of fractions. According to Folk &amp; Ward (1957), sediment distributions with η1 < 0.5 are classified as well and with 1 > 1 are poorly sorted. In the sum curve itself, the sorting is visible as steepness, the worse the sorting, the flatter the total curve. Data generation: The basis for sedimentological evaluations are surface sediment samples, which were interpolated in the context of the EasyGSH project by means of anisotropic interpolation methods and taking into account hydrodynamic factors and erosion and sedimentation processes from individual samples of different years to a grid valid for one year. At each of these grid nodes, the sediment distribution is therefore available as a sum curve. For Deutsche Bucht, this basic product is available for 1996, 2006 and 2016 in a 100 m grid, for the exclusive economic zone of Germany for 1996 in a 250 m grid. Directly from these sum curves, the proportions required for the Folk &amp; Ward (1957) calculation rule can be determined and the sorting parameter ※1 can be calculated. Product: 100 m grid of the German Bay (1996, 2006, 2016) and 250 m grid of the Exclusive Economic Zone (1996), where the sorting of the Folk &amp; Ward (1957) is deposited on each grid node. The product is provided in GeoTiff format. Literature: Folk, R. L., and Ward, W. C. (1957). A study in the significance of grain size parameter. Journal of Petrology, 37, 327-354. For further information, please refer to the information portal (http://easygsh.wb.tu-harburg.de/) and the download portal (https://mdi-de.baw.de/easygsh/). English Download: The data for download can be found under References, where the data can be downloaded directly or via the web page redirection to the EasyGSH-DB portal. For further information, please refer to the download portal (https://mdi-de.baw.de/easygsh/EasyEN_index.html).